Apparatus for manufacture of single-use dental floss holders

Abstract

The invention concerns a mold for forming a single-use floss holder containing a length of dental floss having a wax composition applied thereto, the mold including a first part having a first cavity disposed therein, the first cavity defined by a bottom base surface and a peripheral sidewall, and including a base portion, first and second spaced-apart portions having proximal and distal sections and extending from the base portion, and a second part having a second cavity disposed therein, the second cavity defined by a bottom base surface and a peripheral sidewall, and including a base portion, first and second spaced-apart portions having proximal and distal sections and extending from the base portion and terminating in the distal section; and a groove having an aspect ratio of about 10:1 or greater and having first and second terminal sections and a mid-section, the groove extending an entire width of the second part, where the first and second terminal sections of the groove traverse and are coincident with the distal section of the first and second spaced-apart portions of the second cavity, respectively.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A mold for forming a single-use floss holder containing a length of dental floss comprising a wax composition applied thereto, said mold comprising:
 a first part comprising a first cavity disposed therein, said first cavity defined by a bottom base surface and a peripheral sidewall, said first cavity comprising,
 a base portion, and 
 first and second spaced-apart portions having proximal and distal sections, said lateral portions extending from said base portion, 
 
 a second part comprising a second cavity disposed therein, said second cavity defined by a bottom base surface and a peripheral sidewall, said second cavity comprising,
 a base portion, and 
 first and second spaced-apart portions having proximal and distal sections, said later portions extending from said base portion and terminating in said distal section; and 
 a groove having first and second terminal sections, a mid-section, and a substantially rectangular cross-sectional configuration, said groove extending an entire width of said second part, said first and second terminal sections of said groove traversing and coincident with said distal section of said first and second spaced-apart portions, respectively, said groove having an aspect ratio of about 10:1 or greater. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The mold of  claim 1 , wherein said groove has an aspect ratio of between about 10:1 and 100:1. 
     
     
       3. The mold of  claim 1 , wherein said groove has an aspect ratio between about 25:1 and about 75:1. 
     
     
       4. The mold of  claim 1  further comprising a heat sink disposed proximate each of said first and second terminal sections of said groove. 
     
     
       5. The mold of  claim 4 , wherein said groove has an aspect ratio between about 25:1 and about 75:1. 
     
     
       6. The mold of  claim 4  wherein said heat sink is disposed within said first part. 
     
     
       7. The mold of  claim 4  wherein said heat sink is disposed within said second part. 
     
     
       8. The mold of  claim 1  wherein said terminal section of said groove has a depth of about 0.002 inches. 
     
     
       9. The mold of  claim 1  wherein said terminal section of said groove has a width of about 0.100 inches. 
     
     
       10. The mold of  claim 1  wherein the width of said mid-section of said groove is greater than the width of said first and second terminal sections of said groove. 
     
     
       11. The mold of  claim 1  wherein
 said base portion of said first cavity is substantially horizontal and comprises first and second terminal sections, and 
 said first and second spaced-apart portions of said first cavity are substantially lateral, are substantially transverse to said base portion of said first cavity and extend from said first and second terminal sections of said base portion of said first cavity, respectively; and 
 said base portion of said second cavity is substantially horizontal and comprises first and second terminal sections, and 
 said first and second spaced-apart portions of said second cavity are substantially lateral, are substantially transverse to said base portion of said second cavity and extend from said first and second terminal sections of said base portion of said second cavity, respectively.